MONETABRIEF – Colombo has assured New Delhi that it will not allow Sri Lankan territory to be used to undermine India’s security, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Addressing a public rally at Nikaweratiya on Sunday, the President said the new government’s strong non-aligned foreign policy was welcomed by its giant neighbour and had also earned the appreciation of the international community.

The Indian government told India’s Supreme Court on October 6 that it had no plans to reopen or revisit the 1974 and 1976 maritime agreements that recognised Sri Lankan sovereignty over the small islet of Kachchativu.

India’s Attorney General R. Venkataramani conveyed Delhi’s consistent position that sovereignty over the island rests with Sri Lanka under the historical accords, although Tamil Nadu politicians have called for a review.

The Indian government emphasised that maintaining strong, stable bilateral relations with Sri Lanka remained a primary diplomatic priority.

In his address, Dissanayake said Sri Lanka had maintained neutrality in the ongoing Middle East conflict since the United States and Israel began bombing Iran, with Tehran retaliating and targeting US bases in the region.

“We cannot become involved… When the United States asked to land a number of military aircraft in Sri Lanka, we said no. When Iran asked to bring a warship to Sri Lanka, we also said no.

“At the same time, we provide assistance where humanitarian support is needed. In the matter concerning the Iranian ship, we succeeded in taking a decision that received international praise,” Dissanayake said.

He stressed that Sri Lanka would never allow its airspace, land or sea to be used in a manner that posed a threat to India. “We maintain good foreign relations with India. The central government of India has acknowledged before the Supreme Court that Kachchativu Island belongs to Sri Lanka. In this way, we are working while following a friendly and non-aligned policy with many countries of the world.”

Regional power India had been concerned about rival China’s growing influence in the small but strategically located island, which sits halfway along the main East-West international shipping lanes. Since coming to power, Dissanayake has forged closer ties with New Delhi and pledged to accelerate joint ventures, including a regional energy hub in Trincomalee.

He also called for national unity.

“Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers and Malays—all are our fellow citizens, born, living and eventually buried in this country. For decades, the politics of our country consisted of inciting Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims against one another, obtaining votes, coming to Parliament, joining together and engaging in theft.”

He said his National People’s Power government had ensured there was not a single racist or religious conflict in the past two years.

“We have created a government that will never again allow racism to take root.” (Colombo/Oct11/2026)